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TOPIC

China’s rocket force

China’s rocket force
Latest news and updates on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, including the development and testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons.
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force was established in 2015 and oversees some of the Chinese military’s most important assets. Photo: Xinhua
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China seeks public tips on procurement violations in PLA Rocket Force probe

Authorities asked for clues about problems in PLARF’s purchases spanning all stages of the process and different forms of procurement.

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China's military weapons

China’s military modernisation

China’s military

Chinese rocket force scientist Major General Feng Yufang dies aged 63

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China's military weapons

China’s growing military power

Chinese President Xi Jinping is boosting the nation’s defence capabilities ahead of the 2027 centenary of the People’s Liberation Army. He has overseen improvements in hardware, including the expansion of the nuclear weapons programme, and tightened his control through high-level purges of generals.

China’s growing military power
Science

China builds world-first crab-walking electric ICBM mobile launcher prototype

In less than two years, scientists have developed a technology that ‘fundamentally overturns’ conventional heavy-vehicle design.

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China's military weapons

How China’s DF-5C nuclear ICBM became a counterforce weapon for global strike

While the American Minuteman III has undergone upgrades, the DF-5C represents a more recent technological evolution.

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Science

How China’s DF-5C nuclear ICBM can reach anywhere at any time

A close-up of the new long-range missile during last week’s military parade in Beijing suggests a leap forward in fuel storage technology.

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The new DF-5C liquid-fuel intercontinental strategic nuclear missile was unveiled at last week’s Victory Day parade in Beijing. Photo: EPA
China's military weapons

China’s rocket force bans nearly 200 suppliers, evaluators after corruption probe

Partnerships terminated as investigators find cases of errors, collusive bidding and forgery dating back to 2016.

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Taiwan

Xi visit highlights PLA Rocket Force’s key role in Taiwan strategy

Footage of a tour of a base featured nuclear-capable weapons that are key to Beijing’s plans to deter US intervention in any conflict.

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Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping targets deterrence and discipline in PLA Rocket Force inspection

The president visits a brigade in Anhui province, urging them to adapt to new forms of warfare.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the brigade came less than a month after China conducted an ICBM test. Photo: Xinhua
ICBMs

China’s DF-41: deadly missile could be game-changer in nuclear deterrence

Last month’s launch of Beijing’s deadliest intercontinental ballistic missile outside Chinese airspace puts spotlight on its fast-growing nuclear arsenal.

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China’s PLA Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead from an undisclosed location. Photo: AFP
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

PLA Rocket Force scientist loses political advisory post in corruption crackdown

CPPCC expels missile expert Xiao Longxu as anti-graft campaign continues to zero in on military officials.

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China's military weapons

What do we know about the DF-31 variant used in China’s ICBM test?

The missile fired into the Pacific travelled around 12,000km and appears to have been a model that can be fired from a mobile launcher suited to rough terrain.

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China's military weapons

China ICBM test a sign PLA Rocket Force stands ready despite corruption scandals

Analysts say ballistic missile launch may be aimed at proving ‘credibility’ and combat ability of PLA division swept up in anti-graft probe.

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The PLA Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday in China’s first known ICBM test in 44 years. Photo: AFP / Chinese People’s Liberation Army News and Communication Centre
China's military weapons

US wants ‘regular’ missile launch notification process after China’s ICBM test

Washington and France say Beijing gave advance notice of this week’s test, which Pentagon says was a ‘step in the right direction’.

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The PLA released pictures of the ICBM test on Thursday. Photo: AFP
China’s military

China’s rare public ICBM test raises questions

Beijing notified countries along the 12,000km path of the missile and stressed that the launch wasn’t targeting any particular country.

Video | China tests ICBM capable of reaching US mainland with launch into Pacific Ocean

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China’s military drills

China tests ICBM that could reach the US mainland with launch into Pacific Ocean

Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says.

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China’s Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles during a military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2019. Photo: Xinhua
Corruption in China

PLA Rocket Force bans 3 universities from procurement process over ‘bid-rigging’

Chinese military branch at centre of anti-corruption crackdown says the universities cannot take part in procurement activities until August 2027.

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China’s third plenum

China announces corruption investigation into another PLA Rocket Force general

Communique at the end of the third plenum states that Sun Jinming, chief of staff of the PLA’s Rocket Force, was expelled from the party.

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China’s military

Leading scientist crucial to China’s space efforts to be expelled from top body

Wang Xiaojun, who will be removed from country’s top advisory body, led development of Long March 7 rockets used to resupply Tiangong space station and launch satellites

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Rocket scientist Wang Xiaojun became a CPPCC member in March and is expected to be removed before the next “two sessions” annual meetings. Photo: Weibo/潘明先生
China’s military

China unveils new PLA Rocket Force chief in wake of corruption scandal

An unusually sweeping shake-up will see the force responsible for the country’s nuclear arsenal get a new commander and political commissar at the same time.

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Wang Houbin moves over from the navy to lead the force. Photo: Weibo
China’s military

Chinese anti-corruption probe targets top PLA Rocket Force generals: sources

Military graft-busters are targeting the force’s current commander, Li Yuchao, and a past and present deputy, Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin.

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China’s military

China says PLA Rocket Force joined naval drills near Guam US base

Disclosure seen as show of force by Chinese military, highlighting improved precision strike capacity as Taiwan Strait tensions spike.

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China’s military

PLA mouthpiece hails rocket force after it fired missiles over Taiwan

Chinese military’s official newspaper highlights key role of rocket force in safeguarding national security and declares it is combat ready.

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An earlier PLA missile launch. The rocket force fired ballistic missiles into waters to the north, south and east of Taiwan last week. Photo: Handout
China’s military

China is boosting its rocket launch system ‘from the coast to the Himalayas’

PLA said to have used PCL191 to hit a target several kilometres away during recent test at a desert shooting range.

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The PLA recently tested its advanced rocket launch system at high altitude. Photo: CCTV
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